Should You Shift Directly to P Gear or First to N Gear Before Turning Off the Engine?

[DiCalvin]

Before shifting directly to P gear and turning off the engine, it is essential to ensure that the vehicle has completely stopped moving, is stationary in place, or that the handbrake has been firmly engaged. Otherwise, shifting to either N gear or P gear can cause damage to the transmission. When shifting gears while stationary, it is also crucial to ensure the vehicle is in a braking state to prevent any unintended movement. P gear is a common gear in automatic transmission vehicles, evolved from the N gear. In addition to placing the transmission in neutral mode, P gear also features an internal pawl mechanism that locks the output shaft gear, creating a mechanical lock to secure the drive axle, thereby immobilizing or minimizing movement of the vehicle.

[Prim]

Just shift directly to P and turn off the engine. I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and always operated this way. Every time I arrive at the parking lot, I brake to a complete stop, shift directly to P, engage the parking brake, then turn off and leave - never had any transmission issues. Actually, the P gear in automatic transmissions is designed as the parking gear, with internal pawls that lock the driveshaft, making direct engagement perfectly safe. Of course, when parking on slopes, I'll first firmly engage the parking brake to secure the vehicle before shifting to P, avoiding putting all the weight on the transmission. Many people unnecessarily complicate things by shifting to N first, which just adds extra steps. Remember, the most crucial thing is always to engage the parking brake first to secure the vehicle - the gear sequence really isn't that important.

[SanNevaeh]

When parking, you can directly shift to P (Park) and turn off the engine—this is the standard operating logic for automatic transmissions. When you engage P, an internal pawl mechanism in the transmission locks the drive gear, while the control unit cuts off power transmission. Modern vehicles are equipped with anti-misoperation designs, making it impossible for the car to roll after the engine is turned off. However, it's important to note that when parking on a steep slope, you should first firmly press the foot brake, engage the electronic parking brake, and then shift to P to minimize stress on the transmission. The idea of shifting to N (Neutral) first stems from old driving habits, but today's transmission materials and designs have long been upgraded. I've seen many owners insist on shifting to Neutral, engaging the handbrake, and then turning off the engine, only to forget to return to P afterward. The next day, they find their battery drained and the car unable to start.

[DelAdeline]

I think it depends on the actual situation. Parking on flat ground by directly shifting to P and turning off the engine is completely fine, but when facing steep slopes or heavy loads, it's better to first shift to N, engage the handbrake, wait until the car comes to a complete stop, and then switch to P. Why? Because if you shift directly to P on a slope, the vehicle's inertia can pull on the transmission's locking mechanism, potentially causing wear on the ratchet over time. I remember once in an underground parking garage at a mall, for a sloped parking spot, I followed this sequence: brake to stop → shift to N → pull the handbrake → release the brake to confirm no rolling → shift to P and turn off. Of course, parking on regular roads isn't this troublesome, and you can directly shift to P. Nowadays, many new cars come with an auto-hold function that automatically maintains braking when you release the brake pedal, making it even more convenient to just shift to P directly.